His commander sent his wife, Taylor, a letter, which she posted on her Facebook page.

The commanding officer went to the military hospital to give Hargis a Purple Heart, at which point he raised an arm in salute. A photo of Hargis lifting the arm was also sent to Taylor, which you can see above. It has since gone viral and been dubbed the "salute seen around the world."

In the letter, Hargis' commanding officer wrote, in part:

Josh, whom everybody in the room (over 50 people) assumed to be unconscious, began to move his right arm under the blanket in a diligent effort to salute the Commander as is customary during these ceremonies. Despite his wounds, wrappings, tubes, and pain, Josh fought the doctor who was trying to restrain his right arm and rendered the most beautiful salute any person in that room had ever seen.

I cannot impart on you the level of emotion that poured through the intensive care unit that day. Grown men began to weep and we were speechless at a gesture that speak volumes about Josh’s courage and character. The picture, which we believe belongs on every news channel and every news paper is attached. I have it hanging above my desk now and will remember it as the single greatest event I have witnessed in my ten years in the Army.”